Katlehong Karate clubs desperately needs financial support
AFCKO is pleading for sponsorship to help two senior Karate students to compete internationally, this follows after one of the fighters could not attend in 2022 due to the lack of funds.
African Full Contact Karate Organisation (AFCKO) is in desperate need of financial assistance to help two senior karate students from KyokushinKan Karate International South Africa (KKISA) to raise enough funds ahead of an international karate tournament.
Thabo Malatjie (32) from Sijabulile Kyokushin Kan Karate Club (KKKC) Dojo and Bongani Mkwanazi (26) from Abram Hlophe KKKC Dojo has been selected to represent KKISA at the World Championships tournament.
The tournament will be held in Almaty Kazakhstan between November 24 and 26.
Malatjie was born in Ext 2, Moleleki Section. He began his karate career in 2000 under sensei Mkhombiseni Manyathi.
He said this is not the first time he was selected to represent the country internationally.
“The last time I was selected I could not participate due to the lack of sponsorship,” said Malatjie.
He said it is time for him to take his passion abroad to compete against other fighters from different countries.
“By being exposed to such world-class stages I will learn and grow as a karateka. My wish is to bring the trophies back home from this tournament, like the previous fighters, sensei Ben Sedoaba and Shihan Simphiwe Dlulan.”
Malatjie holds a third Dan black belt, which he recently obtained at a grading in Cape Town in June.
In 2007 he obtained his first Dan.
In 2009 he participated in the U70kg All Africa tournament in Cape Town and came third.
He came second at the Afcko tournament in 2010, and inspired by his efforts in the previous campaigns he claimed first position at the same tournament.
In 2014 he was crowned the champion of the Len Barnes Kyokushin Kan National Tournament (LBKNT). He was the second runner-up at the Karate South Africa Championships in 2017.
In 2018, he championed the Len Barnes Kyokushin Kan Tournament and he was the fourth runner-up at the Afcko National Tournament
He came first at the Len Barnes Kyokushin Kan National Tournament and Afcko National Tournament in 2019. In 2022 he won his second Afcko National Tournament title.
Mkwanazi was also born in Katlehong. He started training in 2010, and he obtained a second Dan black belt a decade later in Gauteng.
He said his goal is to become a world champion in kumite and retain his discipline in everything he does.
“Success in karate is not achieved overnight. It takes time, effort and perseverance. You will face setbacks like injuries and defeats along the way, but it is important to stay committed and keep pushing forward,” said Malatjie.
He obtained the first position at the u60kg Afcko tournament and fourth position at the Len Barnes Kyokushin Kan in 2018.
In 2019, he won the first position at the U60kg Afcko tournament and U60 Len Barnes Kyokushin Kan.
In 2022 he came second at the U70 Afcko tournament. He came third in die U70kg division at the Matlosana Cup Shinkyokushinkai.
To contribute contact the founder of Afcok, Thulane Sibisi at 083 599 5916.
